a picture a day....

For today, November 11, 2019 .... A Salute to Veterans!     Here are three photos of Freedom Park which I created as part of my layout.  Freedom Park includes authentic stones from Omaha Beach in Normandy France and the Berlin Wall.   The park is a tribute to my father, Charles L. Whitehead who served with the Big Red One ( US Army First Infantry Division ) as they landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.  The Big Red One pushed from the shores of Normandy into Germany and my father was with them the entire way.  He lost many down right good friends.   I picked up this stone off Omaha Beach as my brother and I visit Normandy France with my Dad back in 1998.  

Dad was involved in my love of trains, as a kid, nourishing  my passion for trains with weekend walks to the B&O tracks to see real trains ... and of course purchasing my first Lionel set ( and many add on pieces over the years ) , building my first train table, and helping with setting up the trains each Christmastime.  

 The Berlin Wall piece was given to me by a German friend who lived in Berlin when the wall came down.  Since the wall was erected in 1959 and I model 1946 - 1960, I felt it appropriate to include this authentic piece in Freedom Park.   Patsburg is host to some genuine  & authentic  pieces of history and of course I think of my father every time I walk in the train room and see Freedom Park.   

          A salute to our Veterans. Thank you for your service. Happy Veteran's Day!

I finally got the nerve to paint one of my Lionel Frisco F7’s into the newer mandarin orange / white scheme. With the white portion being painted first, I peeled off the masking and thought the look of this halfway stage was interesting.  Sort of a Watco bumblebee with flair.  ?

Rob Leese posted:

I finally got the nerve to paint one of my Lionel Frisco F7’s into the newer mandarin orange / white scheme. With the white portion being painted first, I peeled off the masking and thought the look of this halfway stage was interesting.  Sort of a Watco bumblebee with flair.  ?

Rob

looks good I like it if you need a replacement lens for you headlights I’ll send you a couple of what I use which I think if better 

This guy was working in East St. Louis Illinois today very cold and snowy 

Nice catch Lee, a Respondek GP40 (ex MILW-SOO 2064) in Illinois Terminal paint and lettered for Illini Terminal.

Rusty

Diverging Clear posted:

Nice catch Lee, a Respondek GP40 (ex MILW-SOO 2064) in Illinois Terminal paint and lettered for Illini Terminal.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty for the information on this Engine. I could never get a good pic of this beautiful Engine I never new what it was Thanks again 

For today:  "Brand new 0-8-0 takes on a load of coal."

                                           The "Big Mountain" at NJ Hirailers.

                                                                 MY PHOTO

                                   Checking the tie down'...

A different view of Horseshoe Curve than the usual:

Dad and I walked across the tracks and climbed the hill for this pic, back-in-the-day before security theater.

Notice the inside Westbound track is white from sanding.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Johan, now thats' C-O-O-L !

PAUL ROMANO posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Johan, now thats' C-O-O-L !

Paul. Thank you. 🤝

Johan

Cold and snowy day yesterday picking up a load of scrap metal in south city St.Louis and taking it to the CSX rail 

One of my favorites'..